Seven charity organisations and civic leaders who provide humanitarian aid to break cycles of poverty among children, youth and families were honored at an event in Barcelona.
The event was organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held at the Church’s central building in the Sant Martí district. The Church has partnered for several years with each of the organisations to support their work across Catalonia and Spain.
Speakers at the meeting paid tribute to the humanitarian work of Fundació Bayt Al-ThaQafa, Casa Ronald McDonald, Casal dels Infants, Centre Formació Folgado de València, Creu Roja Sabadell, Fundació del Convent de Santa Clara, and the Jesuit Service for Migrants. Each was awarded a certificate in recognition for their humanitarian efforts, compassion and service to the community.
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The organisations contribute to many aspects of life in Barcelona and the surrounding regions, including the social and cultural integration of Arab-Muslim migrants, and free housing and emotional support to families with seriously ill-children.
A key objective is to help children, youth and families break cycles of poverty. They provide vocational and professional training to the underprivileged, and legal aid to migrants to help them navigate and be compliant with unfamiliar laws. Some 76,000 people annually receive humanitarian aid.
Sister Lucía Caram, speaking on behalf of the Convent of Santa Clara Foundation, emphasised the universal nature of charity. “Helping the needy is a unifying power,” she said. “It transcends creeds and cultures, reminding us that love in action is the highest form of faith.”
The guests included Christian Ottiker, who oversees welfare and humanitarian work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout most of continental Europe, Ramon Bassas Segura, Director General of Religious Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya; and Josep Maria Vallès, Mayor of Sant Cugat del Vallès, where the Church plans to build a temple and community centre.
The program included a musical performance by Grammy award winning violinists Vesna and Igor Gruppman and a video presentation entitled “A Shelter in the Storm,” reflecting on how service and spirituality are linked. Samuel López, a senior officer of the Church with the title of Area Seventy, added: ”Serving others blesses and ennobles both those who receive it and those who offer it.”